Restaurants

Pick up a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner from these local restaurants

Enjoy a meal with your better half in the comfort of your own home.

By Erin Kuschner

January 29, 2021

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In the before times, Valentine’s Day at Bondir, a romantic, ultra-cozy restaurant in Cambridge, would feature a five-course menu, which diners could leisurely enjoy between sips of wine in the dimly lit dining room. This year, chef and owner Jason Bond hopes to recreate the amorous environment inside your home as he offers a three-course Valentine’s Day menu for takeout and delivery.“I wanted to be sure that I could do a good job for a big night with a limited crew, and also that the diners wouldn’t have too much work at home,” he shared. “The menu is all vegetarian, plus a vegetarian or fancy beef option for the main course. Plus, there’s a little snack pack for breakfast items because we hope your Valentine’s dinner ends with breakfast.”In 2020, Valentine’s Day was one of the last major holidays celebrated in typical fashion at restaurants before the coronavirus pandemic upended life as we knew it. Since then, restaurants have resorted to a mix of takeout meals and dine-in specials for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s; this year, Valentine’s Day will follow suit. Bond predicted that business won’t be as busy, “because cooking at home is pretty romantic, too.”John Graufi, owner of Sophia’s Grotto in Roslindale, hopes the Sunday holiday will spread out over a few days. Each year, the dreamy Italian restaurant with a twinkling patio offers a special Valentine’s Day menu; this year, Graufi said they’re working on both a takeout and dine-in option.“There are capacity issues, so hopefully it’s a long day and maybe a long weekend of people going out,” Graufi said. “We don’t want to rush anyone. We want them to enjoy their time here. Obviously there are limitations on the time they can sit. But in two weeks, who knows what will be changed or lifted because things are moving in a more positive direction.”To get a head start on your own Valentine’s Day celebrations, here are our recommendations for local restaurants offering Valentine’s Day dinner for takeout. Check back soon as we’ll be updating this list regularly. And be sure to fill out our poll at the bottom to share your own Valentine’s Day dinner plans.Abe & Louie’s
There’s a little something for all lovebirds within this Back Bay restaurant’s takeout meal: Alaskan King Crab Louie; spinach, prosciutto, and fontina-stuffed beef tenderloin; glazed Thumbelina carrots; fingerling potatoes; roasted Hakuri turnips; and a banana cream pie for a sweet finish. ($240 for two)
Order by: 4 p.m. day prior to preferred pick-up day
Pick up: Feb. 12 to 14 from noon to 8 p.m.Atlantic Fish
If it’s surf and turf you’re after, Atlantic Fish in the Back Bay is offering Chateaubriand and jumbo lobster tail, complete with Béarnaise sauce, mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach with artichoke hearts, and a luxurious red velvet cake. ($250 for two, $325 for four)
Order by: 2 hours prior to preferred pick-up time
Pick up: Feb. 12 to 14 from noon to 8 p.m.Bambara Kitchen & Bar
Enjoy a dreamy evening at home with a meal from Cambridge’s Bambara, featuring Choereg rolls with honey butter, Maine crab salad, beet and ricotta ravioli, and slow braised beef short ribs with winter vegetables and polenta. For dessert, there’s a smattering of cookies, chocolate truffles, and orange blossom panna cotta, and guests can add on a bottle of Taittinger Champagne for $50.00. ($100 for two)
Order by: Feb. 8
Pick up: Feb. 12-14 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.Bondir
Jason Bond has concocted a three-course meal for the special day, kicking things off with a sourdough bread and cultured butter starter. Dine on beets in three flavors, your choice of roasted black truffle cabbage or roasted Akaushi beef strip loin, and winter pavlova for dessert. Bonus: two croissants, butter, jam, and house-made chocolate are included for a morning-after snack. ($156 for two)
Order by: 9 a.m. on Feb. 13
Pick up: Feb. 14 from 3 to 6 p.m.Chickadee
Choose from a half fried chicken, pomegranate-glazed duck, or bone-in aged prime ribeye as your main course from this swanky Seaport spot. Each dinner includes chickpea panisse fries, smoked sea trout dip, grilled carrot salad, black truffle lumache, and more, along with the option to tack on desserts like French macarons and chocolate truffles. ($125-$185 for two)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 14 from noon to 4 p.m.Douzō Sushi
Enjoy a sushi-filled evening with Douzō’s Valentine’s Love Box, where you can sample some of the Back Bay restaurant’s best bites, from salmon sashimi and tuna nigiri to spicy avalanche rolls and tuna tempura. To drink, diners can add on a Valentine’s Drink Package, which includes a cocktail mix, garnishes, and chocolate-covered strawberries so you can play bartender at home. ($69 for the Valentine’s Love Box, $19.99 for the Valentine’s Drink Package)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 8 to 14Ducali
Is pizza your one true love? Order a heart-shaped pie from Ducali in the North End, where each Roman-style pizza serves two. For some more hands-on action, the restaurant is also offering a pizza kit for $16, which includes two pizza doughs, tomato sauce, and toppings like salami, red peppers, and olives. (Prices vary)
Order by: Feb. 12
Pick up: Feb. 13 to 14Harvest

Reader’s Digest recently named Harvest the most romantic restaurant in Massachusetts, so it’s no surprise that the Cambridge spot is offering a Sweetheart Dinner for Two for Valentine’s Day. The meal invites diners to choose either a lobster and shrimp mousseline ravioli or a filet mignon as their main dish, both of which are accompanied by a cool weather salad and a chocolate entremet. Add-ons include wine, cocktails, and a heart-shaped treats box from pastry chef Joshua Livsey. Order by calling the restaurant at 617-868-2255. ($110 for two)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 12 to 14

Joe’s American Bar & Grill
It’s all about classics at Joe’s on Newbury Street, with a Valentine’s Day menu that features a wedge salad, filet and lobster tail, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and red velvet cake. ($120 for two, $240 for four)
Order by: 1 hour prior to preferred pick-up time
Pick up: Feb. 12 to 14 from noon to 8 pm.

Salad at LuLu Green.

LuLu Green
For a plant-based date night, South Boston’s LuLu Green will offer a vegetarian lineup featuring a cheese plate, a beet and blood orange salad with tahini yogurt, spinach and almond ricotta ravioli with pesto and asparagus, a chocolate fudge brownie, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Add a dozen red roses to your order for an extra special Valentine’s Day surprise. ($150 for two, $60 for a dozen roses)
Order by: Feb.9
Pick up: Feb. 13 to 14

Mida
The South End Italian restaurant will celebrate love all weekend long, with a special holiday menu available for takeout (and dine-in) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during Valentine’s Day weekend. The three-course menu invites diners to start with a beet insalata, seared octopus, and bruschetta di melanzane, before choosing two entrées among the linguine alla primavera, lasagna di agnello, or roasted cod. For dessert, a passionfruit cheesecake and dark chocolate espresso brownie awaits. ($120 for two, $60 wine pairing for two)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 12 to 14

Pammy’s
Love birds, take note: Pammy’s is offering a Whole Birds for Love Birds takeout meal on Valentine’s Day, complete with a truffle roasted chicken, fettuce al burro, broccoli de cecco, Italian chicories, and tiramisu, with additional truffle, wine, and cocktail add-ons available. ($150 for two)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 14

Russell House Tavern
Each Valentine’s Day takeout meal at this Cambridge hangout features brioche dinner rolls, lobster macaroni and cheese, heirloom beet salad, and your choice of Filet Tournedos or Atlantic salmon. A chocolate hazelnut tart is included for dessert, and diners can tack on a bottle of bubbly for $25. ($100 for two)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Sarma
Somerville’s Mediterranean all-star Sarma has four options for you to choose from on Valentine’s Day: wild mushroom phyllo pie, shrimp fra diavolo linguine, za’atar chicken cordon bleu, and pomegranate-glazed lamb shanks — truly, there are no wrong answers here. Each two-person meal comes with stuffed mushrooms, hearts of palm ceviche, haloumi-garlic pull-apart bread, and a handful of other sides, plus Turkish delights and chocolate ravani for dessert. ($155-$185 for two)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Scampo
Lydia Shire’s restaurant at the Liberty Hotel has a highly customizable, four-course Valentine’s Day menu available, where diners can choose from options like broiled Wellfleet oysters or seared foie gras steak, Chilean sea bass or veal chop Milanese, and salad with wagyu sirloin or ricotta ravioli. Order can be placed online or by calling 617-536-2100. ($130 for two)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 14

Sophia’s Grotto
If dining under the twinkling lights on Sophia’s Grotto’s patio isn’t an option for you, consider its Valentine’s Day menu instead, which features standout dishes like lobster ravioli, scallops and risotto, and arancini. Raise a toast to your dinner date at home by adding takeout cocktails to go, though you might not want to miss out on the wine and beer, which are 20 percent off with takeout orders. (Prices vary)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 13 to 14 from noon to 9:30 p.m.

Sonsie
One of Newbury Street’s most romantic restaurants is offering three packages for Valentine’s Day, each with the opportunity to add on a bottle of wine. Choose from items like seared rare tuna tataki, braised short ribs, parmesan polenta, herb-crusted salmon, roasted scallops, and butterscotch tart, all of which is available for pick up. ($90-$115 for two)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 13 to 14 from noon to 7 p.m.

Thistle & Leek
There’s some assembly required with this Newton Centre newcomer’s Valentine’s Day kit, but consider it bonding time. Each two-person package includes truffled hummus with seeded crackers, braised short ribs with carrots and onions, fontina risotto with marjoram, and a chocolate and caramel tart to finish. Feeling extra fancy? Add on caviar, crème fraîche, and potato crisps for a gussied-up snack. E-mail [email protected] to place your order. ($75 for two)
Order by: Feb. 10
Pick up: Feb. 13 from noon to 8 p.m., Feb. 14 from noon to 4 p.m.

Valentine’s Day dinner takeout from Woods Hill Pier 4.

Woods Hill Pier 4
If you’re not dining in one of Woods Hill’s cozy igloos for Valentine’s Day, consider taking a meal home from the Seaport standout instead. The restaurant’s special lamb dinner includes a pecan-crusted rack of Woods Hill Farm lamb, plus porcini mushroom and madeira cream, roasted baby carrots with coffee, potato mille feuille, bitter greens and citrus salad, and vanilla semifreddo. Looking for a boozy accompaniment? A chocolate espresso martini can be added on as a nightcap. ($150 for two with the cocktail, $125 without the cocktail)
Order by: Ongoing
Pick up: Feb. 13 to 14 from noon to 5 p.m.